Middlesbrough's suffered a sixth defeat of the season as Darlington stretched their lead by winning at Acklam Park.

The Quakers are now 34 points clear of Barnard Castle in the Darlington Building Society NYSD table. And Darlington, who have been pipped for the title by Richmondshire in the last two seasons, have a game in hand.

Boro had the consolation of picking up four bonus points which moved them off the bottom above Sedgefield, who blanked.

Liam Coates made 127 for Darlington as they totalled 236 for five, before bowling their hosts out for just 127.

Skipper James Lowe told the Gazette on Friday that Boro’s batsmen needed to find form, but there was little sign in this match that the questions are being answered.

Lowe top scored with 40 before falling to Jon Barnes. It was Barnes’ only wicket, but skipper Peter Armstrong took five and Doug Mulholland four as Quakers strong attack shone again. They picked up 25 points.

Redcar battled for a draw at Barnard Castle, Muhammad Saeed making 88 off 124 balls, hitting eight boundaries, to help the Seasiders move over 20 points clear of the relegation zone.

Richmondshire won the battle of the third and fourth placed teams, seeing off Stokesley by three wickets.

Jonny Weighell made 56, including six sixes, and and his brother James 39, but Stokesley were bowled out for 150, Lewis Stabler taking three for nine and Sam Wood four for 47.

Four Stokesley bowlers took wickets but Richmond eased home.

Marton are pushing up the table after a slow start. Their easy win at Marske on Saturday was a fourth success in a row. The Seasiders were bowled out for just 72 with David McCabe and Richard Hawthorne each taking three wickets.

Despite three wickets for Chris Nicholls, Marton won by six wickets.

Michael Croft took six for 16 as Great Ayton bowled out Sedgefield for 74. Nick Hendrie hit 41, including two sixes and six fours as Great Ayton won by 10 wickets. They are sixth in the table.

Saltburn are just 10 points better off than Middlesbrough after picking up only two points in their home defeat to Hartlepool. They were bowled out for 108, Craig Symington taking four wickets and Mike Yuill three.

Hartlepool romped home by seven wickets, Jon Rickard making a brisk 63 in 65 balls. He hit three sixes and five fours.

Guisborough had the better of a high scoring game at Seaton Carew, winning by seven wickets in a brilliant batting performance.

Roshjan Silva made 75, and veteran fellow opener Richard Dunn also made a half century. The duo’s opening partnership set the platform, and Chris Allinson with an unbeaten 42 and Graham Murray, unbeaten on 50, completed the job.

Earlier Seaton had batted well, Paul Braithwaite leading the way with 71 in a score of 234 for five.

In Division One Jon Kean took five wickets as Norton, seeking a return to the top flight, beat Marton.

Blackhall, also seeking a return to the Premier Division, remain top despite having to settle for a draw with Normanby Hall, despite Paul Moss making an unbeaten 150.

Blackhall are five points ahead of Norton with Whitby in between them. STOCKTON, looking to retain their title in the Duke’s North East Premier League are in fourth place after losing by four wickets at Benwell Hill.

Stockton made 237 for eight, Matty Brown top scoring with 62, but it was not enough in a high scoring game.

Stockton are 51 points behind South Northumberland, who picked up 30 points after easily beating Sunderland.